Report: Alabama WR Isaiah Bond Expected to Enter Transfer Portal

Bond led the Crimson Tide in receptions in 2023.

The official window for the college football transfer portal closed on Jan. 2, but with Nick Saban announcing his retirement as the Alabama football coach on Wednesday, Crimson Tide players have 30 days to enter the transfer portal and explore their options. 

The first expected to do so is wide receiver Isaiah Bond, according to a report by The Tuscaloosa News. 

It has been a little less than 48 hours since Saban held the team meeting to let the players know he would be retiring after 17 seasons as the Alabama head coach. According to multiple reports, Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne asked the team to give him 72 hours to bring in a new coach before guys started entering the portal. 

Bond was Jalen Milroe's favorite target last season and led Alabama in receptions last season with 48. He finished second on the team with 668 yards and four touchdowns. 

His most iconic moment of the season came on fourth-and-goal from the 31 in the final seconds of the Iron Bowl when he connected with Milroe in the corner of the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. Bond also had several key catches in Alabama's SEC Championship Game win over No. 1 Georgia. 

Just because a player enters the portal over these next few weeks does not mean that they cannot return to Alabama. It gives the players an opportunity to explore options at other schools, including any NIL packages. All of Alabama's top players will be targets for other schools during this 30-day window. Bond has two years of eligibility remaining. 

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